Rice has been a key figure in Arsenal’s success under Mikel Arteta and is widely regarded as one of the world’s top midfielders. There is a belief within the club that he still has more to give and can elevate his game even further.
Inside Arsenal, there is a sense that Rice has yet to reach his ceiling. Some sources suggest he could enhance his influence by carrying the ball forward more often, taking more shots, and contributing more in the final third. This is intriguing given that Arteta has started the season by deploying Rice in a deeper role. Rice is renowned for his defensive prowess—tackling, ground coverage, physicality, and recoveries—traits that have defined his best performances.
With Bruno Guimarães and Myles Lewis-Skelly sharing minutes alongside him, the focus has shifted away from asking Rice to advance as frequently as in the past. The squad possesses other players who can influence advanced areas, while Rice remains a vital asset in possession and transition. Despite this shift, Arsenal still clearly see Rice as a box-to-box midfielder capable of contributing in multiple phases of play, and his goals tally from last season—nine in all competitions—was the best of his career. Currently deployed as a holding midfielder, he anchors the team, and it will be interesting to observe how his role evolves as the campaign progresses.
